Cardinals special teams coach glad kickoffs still part of NFL

The NFL made changes to kickoffs this offseason, eliminating wedges, making it impossible to return a kick from the end zone and defining exactly where players can line up.

It should change how kickoffs look.

Some have argued the NFL should simply get rid of kickoffs. Fans don’t care an dthe safety risk is too great.

Arizona Cardinals special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers is not among them. He has a solid pair of reasons why the game needs kickoffs.

“I’m old school,” Rodgers said, via AZCentral Sports’ Kent Somers. “A puck drops in hockey. There is a tipoff in basketball. I’m glad it (the kickoff) is still a play in the game. How many guys come in the league and start on offense and defense right away? They get their feet wet in the kicking game. Being able to cover kickoffs, to tackle in space, to block, it’s all offensive and defensive elements. If you don’t have to keep a guy for that, maybe he doesn’t have as many chances to improve offensively or defensively.”

To him, the kickoff is the ceremonious start point of the game. It also is a very good way to develop players. Imagine Cardinals safety Budda Baker and the work he did in kickoff coverage before he cracked the starting lineup.

Eliminating kickoffs would, in essence, affect many players’ careers. These changes do in some ways, but also could make them more exciting.

Like the opening tip or puck drop in other sports, kickoffs are not a must-watch part of the game, but not every moment is. These changes allow for greater safety and still maintaining something that has always been the foot part of football.